Feb. 9, 2013

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Gov. Rick Snyder is holding firm on his opinion of film incentives. But his proposed budget for fiscal 2014 feels like a step backward to the metro Detroit film community.

The plan Snyder unveiled Thursday calls for $25 million in funds to attract movie, TV and digital media projects to the state.

That's the same amount the governor proposed for fiscal 2013. But that figure was doubled to $50 million in a budget agreement with the Legislature, a change that was a victory for film-incentives supporters.

A return to $25 million would be a big disappointment for the local film industry.

"It's the equivalent of throwing it a very small bone," said producer-director Larry August, who has provided production assistance to made-in-Michigan movies like "Kill the Irishman" and "Gran Torino."

Filming in the state has notably decreased since Snyder announced in February 2011 his plan to cap the film incentives at $25 million -- a dramatic cutback for a program that awarded $115 million in 2010.

Another budget agreement for a higher figure could be reached for fiscal 2014. But the governor echoed his past skepticism of film incentives during an interview Friday with the Free Press.

"We have it at a more reasonable level and capped," Snyder said. "In a perfect world, I never would have done it to begin with. But people did make investments and we wanted to give it some time. My main concern is, you look at the history of the industry and it doesn't have a track record of loyalty or consistency."

Metro Detroit filmmakers raised the issue of consistency in a different way. They argue that Michigan cannot regain lost ground or Hollywood's trust unless Michigan's incentives are stable over the long run.

"If it's back to 25 (million) or maybe it's 50 (million), it's not a predictable number that studios can understand and feel comfortable with," August said.

Others are concerned that the state doesn't have a strategy for the $25 million.

"A plan is very important to have. Otherwise, we're just bringing films here and not growing anything," said Mark Adler, director of Michigan Production Alliance, a trade group.

The Michigan Film Office has been spreading the word that roughly $58 million is available currently, an amount reflecting both the fiscal 2013 doubling and an $8-million rollover from 2012.

"Our focus right now is on spending the $50 million we were allocated for fiscal 2013," said Michigan Film Office spokeswoman Michelle Begnoche. "Regardless of what the ultimate budget for fiscal 2014 winds up being, our focus will be on bringing the best possible projects to the state."

Metro Detroiter Kate Bennett, who worked in the costume department for "Oz the Great and Powerful," said she's scared by "this back-and-forth nonsense" on the budget.

"My concern is if we're now putting more money in for this year for the film incentives only to take it away for next year, people would just give up altogether," she said.